page_title: Wirich VI, Count of Daun-Falkenstein
section_title: Murder
hierarchical_section_title: Wirich VI, Count of Daun-Falkenstein / Murder
caption_attribution_description: Der Mord an Graf Wirich VI. von Daun-Falkenstein am 11. Oktober 1598 durch die Spanier
context_page_description: Wirich VI, Count of Daun-Falkenstein was a German nobleman, diplomat, statesman, and politician. By descent, he was a Count of Falkenstein, and by inheritance, he was Lord of Broich and Lord of Bürgel. He belonged to the lower nobility in the Duchy of Berg and was a member of the Estates of Berg. He supported the Reformation in the Lower Rhine area.
context_section_description: Because of the risk the Spanish soldiers under Admiral Francisco de Mendoza quartered in Orsoy posed to his family, Wirich sent his relatives to Hardenberg on 4 October 1598.  The very next day, a force of 5000 mercenaries led by de Mendoza appeared before Broich Castle and laid siege to the castle.  Wirich insisted in vain that he was neutral and after negotiations failed, he felt he had no other option than to open fire.  However, the Spanish force was too strong and he had to surrender the next morning.  The Spanish commander swore that the Germans would be allowed to leave their castle unmolested.  Nevertheless, some 200 people, including servants, maids, woman and children were massacred outside the gate of Broich Castle.  Wirich himself was taken prisoner.  On 11 October, he was allowed to have a stroll outside his castle.  However, his two Spanish guards attacked him and stabbed him.  They beheaded his body, doused him with gunpowder and burned his body beyond recognition.  News of his murder quickly spread throughout Germany and provoked outrage and sympathy.
  Wirich son, also named Wirich, was an officer in the army of the Dutch stadtholder Maurice of Nassau from 1605 onwards.  on 6 February 1607, he, too, was murdered by Spanish soldiers.  He was robbed and killed at Sterkrade (now part of Oberhausen).
caption: The murder of Wirich by the Spaniards, copper engraving of 1698 by Jan Luyken
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